Written by

Associated Press

She acknowledged Wednesday that she’s being encouraged to run for the seat held by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican.

But Grimes, a rising star in the Kentucky Democratic Party, said she’s solely focused now on getting legislation passed in Kentucky that would ensure soldiers deployed oversees get their election ballots counted back home.

Grimes, the state’s top election official, said the military voting issue will be her top priority until the legislature adjourns Tuesday.

She is one of at least two potential challengers that Democratic leaders have been courting to run against McConnell. Actress Ashley Judd, a former Kentucky resident now living in Tennessee, also is considering a run.